“Around the world people look to Ireland as a country where it doesn’t matter where you come from but where you want to go.

“I know when my father travelled 5,000 miles to make his home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to be its leader.

“That despite his differences, his son would be treated the same and judged by his actions and character not his origins or identity.”

He added: “Every proud parent in Ireland today can dream big dreams for their children. Every boy and girl will know there is no limit to their ambition, to their possibilities, if they are given the opportunity.”

CRASH HORROR

'gentle soul'

Knife horror

Man, 23, killed in Clare nightclub stabbing row is named as Jamie Higgins

In a signal that he would try to reunite his party – which has split between the ordinary membership and the parliamentary party over the leadership race – Mr Varadkar said he hoped to gain the trust and confidence of those who did not vote for him.

Turning to the runner-up Coveney, he said more united than divided them, and added: “I know we are going to work together to bring Fine Gael and Ireland forward”.